"I know. But still. I would have stayed. Made her think I left. Ya know? Anyways, that’s why I was going to ask you to back off. I don’t think she’s ready for this. Not yet. I was thinking you’d get angry and yell back. I was hoping you would so I could hate you more, but I can’t exactly hate you. Not when you know how it needs to be too."

"I’m not ready either, but I won’t push her away. But don’t think I’m not going to change, because I am. For me. If I get better, I can treat Spencer the way she ought to be treated. I’ll be good for her then, but until that time, if Spencer wants to see me, then I’m going to be there for her." I said, hoping I made some sense then not really caring if I did or not.

"I had to take a chance. She’s my best friend and I love her. I have a real protective side when it comes to people I consider family."

"You didn’t by chance tell her you was trying to protect her did you?"

"Yeah, she said she was fine on her own." she chuckled, knowing why I asked. Then her face got serious again. "I really upset her. I went too far. She’s crying and since I was the one that made her, I can’t comfort her. The others were trying but she kicked them out of the room soon after I left. She thinks I went to your place. I figured she’d have called you by now." she said, still upset herself.

"She hasn’t called. But if you don’t like me, why am I the one you called?" I asked.

"Because she needs you. I admit I went about voicing my opinions the wrong way, and I’m sorry. Will you tell her that for me? Please? I know we still have to talk through our argument and stuff, but I can’t right now." she said shyly, and I nodded my head yes. "You should probably go on in." she pointed over her shoulder toward the appartment with her thumb. She stepped around me and I headed in that direction. Before I reached the door, I heard her call, "Ashley?" I turned my head toward her.

"Yeah?"

"I was just thinking that if things work out between you and Spencer, we might be able to be friends."

"Sure." I said and she got in her car and left. I finished making my way to the door and it opened as I reached it. It was Lane who stood on the other side.

"She’s in her room. She still won’t let us in." she said, stepping to the side so I could get by her. I went straight to her door and knocked.

"Go away!" she screamed, her voice thick from crying.

"Spence, it’s me. It’s Ashley."

"Ash?" she said, but she was closer to the door, and it was only seconds later before it was opened.